National Film and Video Foundation

About the NFVF

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is a statutory body created by the South African government. Its job is to promote fair growth and development of the local film and video industry. To do this, it funds productions, supports marketing and distribution, and runs transformation and skills programmes.

A screen industry needs trained people behind the camera as well as in front of it. For that reason, the foundation spends part of its budget on education. Its National Bursary Programme brings new directors, editors, producers and technicians into the sector.

Students who plan to apply should think about the career they want. The film and television sector includes directing, producing, editing, cinematography, sound, animation and scriptwriting. A clear motivation letter that names your chosen discipline, and explains how you will add to the local industry, helps the panel see that you are serious.

How the NFVF supports students

The National Bursary Programme helps people who want to enter film and television. It supports full-time study at accredited South African tertiary institutions. Applicants may be undergraduates or postgraduates, and the qualification must be a formal diploma or degree in a film or television discipline.

The money is a non-repayable grant. It is awarded on merit, financial need or both. The foundation usually pays the funds to the institution rather than to the student, so the grant goes straight to fees. Performing arts courses such as acting, music and dance fall outside the programme, because the mandate is the screen industry itself.

What to know before applying

Earlier calls asked for South African citizens who had passed matric and could show a good academic record. Applicants also had to show a need for financial help. Past selection notes gave priority to household income below R600 000, to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds and to a pass average of at least 50%. Public institutions were preferred. These details come from earlier calls, so check the current notice.

The online application normally includes several documents. These are a letter of acceptance, a one-page motivation, a certified ID copy and certified matric or latest academic results. You also need proof of your parents' income, the institution's fee breakdown and any letters from other funders. Certified copies should be recent, usually within three months of submission.

The foundation opens a call each year and sets a fixed closing time. Late forms are normally not considered. However, the exact dates change, and no work-back obligation is mentioned in the calls we reviewed. Therefore, watch the official NFVF website for the next announcement. Questions can go to the training team through the contact details published there.